Deciduous, woody stem Salvias

These are species that produce woody stems, but die back to the ground in the winter in all but the warmest climates. In warm winter areas these can become woody shrubs, but they generally benefit from the following pruning methods.

Pruning is both an art and a science. It takes practice, experience and learning from your mistakes to become a proficient pruner. The pruning information about this plant should be considered as a guideline for getting started. Your particular climate, soils, watering and fertility schedules, sun exposure, space requirements and weather are all factors that influence how and when you choose to prune. We’re providing a starting place for you, and over time you will learn the particularities of this plant in your garden. Don’t be afraid to get started – Salvias, in general, are quick to rebound if inappropriately pruned.

Deadheading – the removal of spent flowers, is a practice that will always benefit the plant’s health and appearance. This can be done at any time. Pruning involves removal of entire stems of spent growth. Becoming "spent" means that flowering stems stop blooming and begin going to seed.

Growing Season Pruning

During the spring and summer, you can completely or partially remove any stems that have finished blooming and are becoming unsightly. This often stimulates fresh new growth and increased flowering

Dormant Season Pruning

At the end of the growing season or after first frost, spent stems can be cut to the ground. Some gardeners in cold winter climates say that leaving 3 to 6 inches of the stems intact during the winter improves survivability. They remove the remaining stems before new growth begins in the spring. In warmer areas the stems may never completely die back, but should be cut to ground to allow for new growth.

Hummingbirds love Salvia (sage) nectar and are attracted to it by the bright colors of tubular sage blossoms. In particular, these little whirlybirds can easily spot flowers in the red spectrum, which is prevalent among sages. Here are some hummingbird gardening tips.

Provide lots of color. Think of yourself as a cafeteria manager who needs to provide many tempting choices in order to attract business. Red, pink, orange and purple sages are particularly powerful hummingbird magnets.

Keep your garden blooming. Plant a variety of Salvias based not only on color but also a broad span of bloom times. Many flower from spring into fall. Others are prolific fountains of nectar for shorter seasons. Numerous winter-blooming species are available for areas that are home to hummingbirds year round.

Grow sages native to the Western Hemisphere. Although hummingbirds will take advantage of many kinds of tubular flowering plants, these tiny birds are native to the Western Hemisphere and prefer flowering plants native to their half of the world.

Supplement plantings with feeder tubes. Change the sugar water every few days and don't add food coloring. Keep the feeders clean, but don't scrub them with soaps or detergents. Here is more feeder care information.

If you live in suburbs or rural areas where deer plunder gardens, Salvias (sages) can be part of your plan for discouraging these hungry visitors. Here are some tips.

Mask smells that deer like with aromatic sages. Deer and other members of the Cervidae family, such as elk, mostly leave Salvias alone. One theory is that they don't like the fragrance or taste of sage chemicals. Strategically planting sages near vegetable gardens or fruit trees -- elixir to deer -- may prevent consumption.

Grow hedges including Salvias. Prickly hedges, including hairy-leafed Salvias and exceptionally thorny roses, can discourage deer from entering your yard. They don't like the mouth-feel of those textures. Tall hedges also hide strawberry beds and other yummy plantings from view.

Don't overplant one species. Grow a variety of Salvias in case local deer take an unexpected liking to one species of sage.

Fence deer out. Install electric fences or 8-foot wood or metal fences around particularly vulnerable areas. Make sure electric fencing is turned on during the peak feeding seasons of early spring and late fall.

Use motion-detection tools. Install outdoor lighting that is activated by movement.

Let the dogs out. Deer are especially wary of large dogs.

Surround and cover. Wrap tough plastic around the trunks of trees that have tasty bark and cover foliage with bird netting when trees and bushes are fruiting.

You can rely on a quality experience with Flowers by the Sea Nursery, because we:

Ship only large, healthy plants

Carefully package your purchase

Contract with UPS for rapid, safe delivery direct to your door and

Don't raise plant prices to artificially subsidize low shipping fees.

UPS rate structure makes it possible for us to decrease the shipping price per plant as order size increases. Also our advance order process lets you select delayed shipment based on available shipping dates. Remember, FBTS guarantees satisfaction.

We are continually propagating most Salvia varieties, to be able to ship to you plants "in their prime", ideal for planting out. Generally we maintain a relatively small number of any given plant in inventory. We can often grow larger quantities to meet specific needs. If you are looking for more than what we have in our current inventory, please contact us.

Salvia lycioides x greggii 'San Isidro'

Rated:

(Saint Isidro's Sage) This hardy, lavender-blue-flowered Salvia comes from Southern Texas and has the same breeding as the famous Ultra Violet Autumn Sage. Although it needs warmer winter temperatures and has smaller foliage, it also does well in stressful conditions, including drought.

This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion.

Saint Isidro's Sage

USDA Zones

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average.

This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.

Full sun

Soil type

This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage.

Well drained

Water needs

Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface.

Average

Pot size

This is the size of the pot your plant will arrive in.

3 1/2 inch deep pot

Container plant?

"Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant.

Xeric plants are excellent for water conservation. They grow well in dry gardens with little to no supplemental watering once established. In fact, overwatering can harm these plants, which are native to dry environments such as deserts and chaparral.

At Flowers by the Sea, we identify all xeric plants with a blue plant marker that warns against overwatering. Here are some tips for growing and understanding our xeric, or blue tag, plants:

1) In a humid region, you may find it difficult to grow plants native to semi-arid and arid environments. Yet xeric plants may succeed if you have a persistently dry area, such as under a roof overhang or in the shelter of a tree.

2) Xeric plants are excellent for locations far from garden hoses, such as along sidewalks -- areas often referred to as "hellstrips."

3) Shipping is hard on xeric plants, which suffer from confinement in small containers as well as boxes. You may see some mold, spots on leaves or withered foliage when they arrive. But xeric plants perk up with proper care while hardening off in partial shade before planting.

4) When amending soil before planting, remember that xeric plants not only need excellent drainage but also flower better in low fertility soil. Fertilize sparingly and use a mix with more phosphorous than nitrogen to encourage flowering and discourage lax overgrowth of foliage.

5) Organic matter, such as compost, is an excellent soil amendment for xeric plants, because it keeps their roots healthy by improving aeration and drainage.

6) When your xeric plants are established, water infrequently to encourage deep root growth and to avoid fungal problems. However, it's a good idea to gently spray dust off foliage about once a week.

(Saint Isidro's Sage) This hardy, lavender-blue-flowered Salvia comes from Southern Texas and has the same breeding as the famous Ultra Violet Autumn Sage. Although it needs warmer winter temperatures and has smaller foliage, it also does well in stressful conditions, including drought.

Saint Isidro's Sage is a dwarf plant with tall flower spikes. This hybrid of Autumn Sage Salvia greggii and Canyon Sage (Salvia lycioides) will keep your garden buzzing with honeybees, hummingbirds and butterflies from spring until frost. Similar to many sages, it is deer resistant.

This is a fine perennial border, groundcover, dry garden or container plant. Just give it full sun, good air circulation and well-drained soil.

Here are some guidelines for success with this plant in your garden.

Click on an individual icon for more detailed information.

Exposure

Full Sun

This plant needs or tolerates more than six hours of intense sunlight daily. Many Salvias only thrive in wide-open locations where they receive long hours of full sun. However, full-sun species sometimes tolerate a bit of partial shade. Or a Salvia that loves partial shade may be amenable to spending part of its time in full sun.

In general, this sun/shade adaptability shows up in Salvias that do best in cooler climates when grown in full sun and thrive in hot climates when partial shade is available. So full-sun Salvias sometimes are also categorized as partial-shade plants and vice versa.

Full sun

Heat Tolerant

This plant can handle extreme heat.

Full-sun Salvias that don’t like any shade are among the most heat tolerant. Heat-loving Salvias also are often drought tolerant. Moisture-conserving features, such as fuzzy leaves, help them stay perky at high temperatures.

Heat-tolerant Salvias are fine choices for western and southern exposures.

Heat tolerant

Growing Habit

Zone(s) 6 - 9

Plant hardiness Zones defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture tell you the minimum temperatures a plant can withstand in your garden. The USDA divides the nation into winter climate areas from coldest (Zone 1) to warmest (Zone 11).

However, it is sometimes possible to grow a Zone 6 Salvia as a perennial in Zone 5 if you provide preferential care, such as winter mulching and a location sheltered from harsh winds. In contrast, a Zone 9 Salvia may act like a perennial in Zone 10 if given a bit of shade or extra water.

6 - 9

18 inches tall

To create a harmonious landscape plan, it is important to consider the heights of individual plants.

Height also affects function. Short Salvias often make excellent ground covers that conserve soil moisture and discourage weeds while also brightening your yard. Medium-height Salvias, such as ones 36 inches tall, often are ideal border plants. A tall Salvia planted singly can highlight a landscape; multiple plantings can form an attractive screen.

18 inches tall

18 inches wide+ inches wide

By considering the width of a plant, you can determine how many to place in a row or what other plants to grow with it.

For example, a narrow, moderate-height Salvia may look good interplanted with bushier species, kind of like Mutt and Jeff.

In contrast, wide-spreading Salvias are economical for hiding lengths of wall and fence or for creating hedge-like divisions in a yard.

From short perennials that form dense mats spread by underground stoloniferous roots to thickets of medium-size shrubs, many Salvias are efficient ground covers.

Ground cover

Perennial

Plant this herbaceous species in the USDA Zones where it grows as a perennial, returning year after year.

After dying back to the ground at frost, herbaceous perennials emerge in the Spring with soft, new growth. A Salvia that is perennial in one region, may be an annual in another depending on local conditions, such as winter temperatures.

If you live in USDA Zone 5, for example, Salvias in our catalog cited as growing well in Zone 5 or lower will be perennial. Those cited as doing well in Zones 6 or higher may do well in Zone 5, but generally will act like annuals coming back from seed instead of the parent plant’s roots.

Perennial

Water Needs

Average

This plant needs regular watering based on what is appropriate to your local conditions.

In some extremely hot, arid climates, this may mean daily watering in Summer. Although many drought-resistant Salvias survive on little to no watering due to local rainfall and deep roots meeting their moisture needs, others need regular doses. The size and frequency of the dose depends on your climate.

Average water

Drought

In the right locale, this plant survives and thrives despite minimal summer water.

Drought resistance is an important characteristic of xeriscapic – dry landscape – plants, a category that includes a multitude of Salvias. Many low-water Salvias are native to parts of the world with little rainfall all year or regions where summers are dry and winters are wet.

Nevertheless, there are also drought-resistant Salvias for places such as Florida where winters are dry and summers are wet.

Drought resistant

Blooming Season

Fall

This plant reaches peak bloom in Fall or flowers for much of the season.

It may begin flowering much earlier in the year. Bloom time for some Salvias lasts from Spring till first frost. Others begin flowering in Summer and continue into Fall. There are also Salvias that don’t bloom until late Fall and continue into Winter if grown in mild-Winter areas.

There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.

Fall blooming

Spring

This plant reaches peak bloom during Spring or flowers for much of the season.

However, it may begin flowering sooner. Some Spring-blooming Salvias begin flowering in Winter; others start in Spring, keep producing color through summer and may continue on into autumn and first frost. Still others flower only in Spring.

There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.

Spring blooming

Summer

This plant reaches peak bloom in Summer or flowers for much of the season.

Lots of Summer bloomers start flowering in Spring; others begin in Summer and keep up the show of color until frost.

There is a great deal of overlap in blooming seasons for Salvias.

Summer blooming

Wildlife

Honeybees

Honeybees love this plant’s nectar. As a honeybee burrows down into a Salvia’s nectar-rich flowers to reach dinner, it accidentally gathers pollen and drops it on the stigma of that blossom or of ones on other nearby Salvias. Fertilization results in seed production.

By growing honeybee favorites, you attract these helpful pollinators to all your flowering plants and increase productivity

Honeybees

Butterflies

This plant attracts butterflies whether for nectar or as a host for their caterpillars. Some butterflies feed on a limited range of flowering plants and only lay eggs on one kind of host plant. Salvia nectar lures adult butterflies. Placing host plants, such as Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), next to nectar plants builds butterfly habitat. In exchange, the butterflies improve fertility in your garden through pollination.

Butterflies

Deer

Unless local forage is in short supply, most deer likely will avoid this plant.

It appears that deer dislike Salvias, in general, due to their volatile oils that make the plants so fragrant and savory in cooking. However, the only completely deer-proof plants are the ones grown beyond reach.

Deer resistant

Hummingbirds

Based on our experience and reports from customers, hummingbirds (Trochilidae spp.) love this plant.

Hummingbirds exist only in the Americas where their 300-plus species are particularly fond of the nectar in brightly colored Salvias from the Western Hemisphere. However, if favorites aren’t available, they dine on the nectar of most Salvias.

Colors

Salvias and their companion plants pop with color. Sweep your eyes from top to the bottom here for an impression of this plant's color combinations. The first row displays blossoms from primary to less dominant shades and includes any contrasting throat color. The second tier is the main hue of leaf-like bracts or calyxes supporting the flowers. Foliage (one or two colors) leafs out in the bottom row.

We based our analysis of this plant’s floral and foliar color on the internationally standardized color system published by the U.K.’s Royal Horticultural Society. Called the RHS Large Colour Charts, this publication is a boxed set of color swatches arranged in fans and containing all the colors that RHS has identified in horticulture. RHS gives each color a common name and code number.

Each swatch has a small hole punched into it. We place the swatch over a flower petal and compare the blossom’s color to that of the card. When using RHS colors to compare plants that you want to combine in a flowerbed, in bouquets or in some other manner, RHS says to view them indoors in north light. If you are matching our digital swatches to flowers already in your garden, pluck two or three fully open blossoms of each plant that requires analysis.

You may find that the plant you receive from FBTS varies somewhat in color from what appears in our color analysis or our photograph due to a number of factors, including:

Variations in photographic colors based on lighting level at different times of day

Differences in the resolution of digital screens

Seasonal changes in plant color due to changes in temperature and plant cycle and

pH or soil chemistry that varies from one locale to another and causes color shifts.

Late summer is a good time to plant at the coolest times of day. Settling in Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) and Mountain Sage (S. microphylla) before Indian summer will give their roots a chance for strong growth so they can withstand winter's chill and leaf out again next spring. These drought-resistant species are closely related and hybridize freely when they meet. They also cross with other sages they encounter. FBTS details seven pink and purple varieties that bloom off and on spring to fall.

Some gardeners call them parking strip or drive-strip gardens. Others bestow the more genteel names of tree-lawn or boulevard garden on these attempts to beautify the scraggly, grassy, weed-ridden verges between sidewalk and street. Then there is the most popular name of all, hellstrips, which garden writer and designer Lauren Springer Ogden coined. One colorful solution to the hell strip is to plant short, tough sages and equally drought-resistant companion plants.

Texas and Southwestern Native Plants for Butterflies, Honeybees and Hummingbirds

Posted: Monday, August 25, 2014Synopsis:

Many gardeners and wildlife lovers in states with recurrent drought choose to increase the number of native plants in their yards. This is especially true of Texas, where statewide drought began in 2010 and hasn't yet abated. Native plants appeal to local wildlife, including pollinators. To help gardeners from Texas and the Southwest who want to create wildlife habitat, Flowers by the Sea (FBTS) suggests Salvias appropriate for Texas and Southwest gardens.

Testimonials

I ordered black and blue back in April and was exceptionally pleased with the plants and the care taken in the packaging. The plants are thriving here in eastern NC and the hummingbirds love them. Thanks and I will keep you in mind next spring or maybe sooner.

Judy

As usual I am very pleased with the recent purchase of Salvia from you. Also, thank you
for gifting me the plants that were shipped in error. You folks are extremely fair and
this is greatly appreciated. My only issue is the distance and freight costs involved in
purchasing from you. However,...

Randy Collins

I live in Northern Illinois. The plants were delivered in a couple of days. They were well packed and in great shape when they arrived. I immediately transplanted them and gave them about 2 weeks for the weather to warm and for the plants to grow. I put them in the ground by the middle of May...

Peter Grant

I received my Salvia in a very timely manner in excellent condition. It is growing very rapidly and is looking very fresh and healthy. I really appreciate the many different Salvias that are available through Flowers by the Sea. The collection is not available anywhere else, I'm sure. I'm so...

D. Chairez

The plant was packaged real well. It came alive without any wilted leaves. Now in a pot and surviving. Love it, can't wait until it gets bigger.

wanda miller

I was ecstatic last month when I found this nursery while searching for information on Canary Island Sage.Then, when I discovered that they had Salvia azurea, I just knew that I had to order some things.All told, I ended up ordering 7 plants the week before a big Salvia conference. When they got...

Brandon

My sages arrived today. I was so excited when I opened the box to discover that all were moist and vibrant after three days on the road. One of the Salvia lyciodes x greggii 'Ultra Violet' plants was even blooming! Also, how thoughtful of you to wrap them in newsprint! There were no...

Marlene

Yesterday afternoon another delivery of FBTS plants arrived. They looked beautiful right out of the box. This is the fourth time I've ordered from you this year, and each and every plant was in great shape, ready to grow and bloom (except for the two that the gophers ate -- now I plant in...

Mary Jo Ballator

My neighbor alerted me to this nursery in California that had salvias ideal for southeast Arizona. The plants arrived in slightly larger than normal tubes but the plants were gallon size in terms of their growth with some pushing 2 feet. I ordered hard to find more frost hardy pine forest...

Art Douglas

Plants arrived as scheduled. What a relief to see fresh healthy plants in 4\" pots with developed root systems. I will order again. You shoud try them out too.